"Shona does anything happen between you and Nikhil?" Reva asked her daughter on Video call.

"No Ma... nothing happened. But why are you asking like this?" Swara countered.

"Nothing Shona. I just asked. By the way tell me hows everything over there?"

"It's good Ma. Now we have peak summer here. You know Ma till 9 pm its sunlight over here. It's different. Summers are beautiful. I promise Ma next summer you, Papa and Rohan will be here with me. And we all will do so much fun." Swara chirped beamingly.

"No Shona, next summer you and Nikhil would be newly married. You both will be spending quality time with each other. Why you want us to disturb you?" Reva teased from other side.

"Marriage?" Swara whisper asked.

"Haan Shona, yesterday Sumitra Ji was saying we need to start preparations for your marriage. It's been 6 months you are there. Nikhil said you and he has decided about marriage date. He said that in next 6 months you will get residency confirmed and then you will come to India to get married." Reva's word swipe away floor from Swara's feet.

"Nikhil said that we BOTH decided about marriage date?" Swara mumbled asked to herself.

"What happened Shona?" Reva questioned from other side. She could guess her daughter was reluctant over revelation.

"Shona, you and Nikhil have been engaged for almost a year. Everyone knows about it. In our social circle everyone asks about your two's marriage. Is there anything I need to know Shona?"

"Nothing Ma. I became little tensed hearing about marriage date. You know those wedding blues" she covered up.

But she took mental note to talk to her little brother about this. She was sure something would have happened back home.

She conveniently changed their topic of discussion before cutting their call.

'Rohan message me once you are alone. I want to talk to you. Everything is fine. Just don't tell Ma and Papa' she hit send button passing message.

At night when Swara was done with her daily chores, she went to their apartment's balcony to talk to her brother.

"Rohan, I know something had happen there? Now spill the beans out" she bombarded when Rohan picked call from other side.

"Di Sumitra Aunty had created a scene. It's not exactly but ... it worried Ma and Papa"

"Can you please be straight? I am not understanding"

"Di, you know we have this society Puja every year this time. So, all aunties of our society were gossiping about you. They were talking like because of you the marriage date has been postponed. Why her career is so much important? Girls first need to get married. They were also saying that now since you are staying in Canada, earning in dollars why will you marry Nikhil. You will find someone. You know all that." Rohan gave her overview.

"What was Ma and Papa's reaction?"

"They tried to sort out taking your side, but the main thing was Nikhil Jiju and his family" Rohan answered.

"What happened?"

"Jiju just left without a word, but Sumitra aunty took that opportunity and put Ma on everyone's bulls' eye. Ma was hurt with their words. After that day, she is taking pressure for your marriage. Same thing with Papa." Rohan's each word brought fresh tears in her eyes.

"Don't worry Rohan. I will talk to Ma and Papa"

"Di, can I ask you one thing?"

"Of course, Rohan"

"Are you happy?" Rohan knew his sister very well.

"I am missing everyone Rohan."

"Di, I younger than you in age but I know you better than anyone else. Are you sure Nikhil Jiju is the one for you?" Rohan finally asked the question which used to haunt him from last 6 months.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know how to put it in words, Di. I know moving to Canada was not your sole decision. You had pressure from Nikhil Jiju. And now you are doing this for him, his dream we at least hope him to be supportive towards you. And here, he is not even standing up for you. On Puja Day, his withdrawal showed he was least bother about you. I was hoping that he would take your side. But he did not. Is everything alright between you two?" his concernedly words earned sob from Swara.

"Rohan I am tired. I am just pushing myself to my limits. But one thing is that right now my focus is on settling the bank loan. I clearly know, I am not going to get any help from Nikhil. Once this is sorted out, I might need to take some drastic decisions. I am thinking about them, but before that I will need to take Ma and Papa in confidence. Just give me some time. Trust me my little bro."

"Of course, Di. Is this the thing to ask for? I am always with you in whatever decision you take. And don't worry about Ma and Papa. I have grown up enough to take care of them." Rohan cheered her up.

'Nikhil day by day you are stooping low in my eyes. Thank you Kanhaji for pushing me in this chaos else I wouldn't be able to see his true face. You have let me down on every step Nikhil. I regret for trusting you with my heart.'

It was night when Sanskar came back to his penthouse. He took quick shower and was moving towards his bed for peaceful sleep when his phone started ringing flashing, 'Granny Calling'.

He picked up hurriedly.

"Hello Granny, what happened? Are you alright?" he became panicked.

"Where is my birthday girl?" Granny grinned from other side.

"What birthday girl?"

"Hey Kanhaji, what should I do with this boy? Your wife... Swara. Today is her birthday. It's 11:55 in next 5 minutes it will be her day and I want to wish her first."

"What are you saying Granny?" he mumbled with shock.

"Did you forget her birthday?" now Granny was mad at him.

"No... yes... I mean no" he could not find suitable answer.

"Yes or no Sanskar? Dare, if you miss her birthday. My poor child will be upset on her special day. Just give her phone I want to talk to her now."

'Shit! What am I supposed to do now?'

"She is sleeping Granny. You can wish her tomorrow." He tried his best.

"Sleeping? But you would be waking her up right for your planned surprise? Did you plan anything or not?" Granny was not the one who could be convince this easily.

"Did you bring the cake? Candles... are they ready? Red roses? Greeting card and your gift? Make sure everything is ready. It is just 3 minutes to go. Go call her now." her list was endless.

'Shit from where I am going to bring Swara here at this hour. She is in her own home. Granny will kill me. Think Sanskar'

"Granny, this is Swara's first birthday after marriage let the couple enjoy first. Give me 15 mins I will give you call when we will cut the cake."

"Ohh! So, am I disturbing you both in middle of romantic night? Hmm some private celebrations are going on in full swing." Granny's teasing's irked Sanskar the most.

He just shook his head when his grandmother took double meaning of this words.

"Ok ok I understand lovebirds. I will not disturb. I will give you 15 minutes only. I want to see my child and wish her" finally Granny agreed and cut the call.

"Shit, Granny you will be my death one day" he mumbled and took car keys while going out of his penthouse.

"Roger, I need a birthday cake NOW" he called Roger while running out. "And yes, don't forget red roses."

He cut the call before Roger could speak anything from other side while entering inside elevator.

"Happy Birthday" Swara's apartment boomed with loud noise of her roommates and her parents from Zoom video call.

"Thank you everyone" Swara grinned brightly.

She blew the candles and then cut the cake. She forwarded first bite towards the mobile screen where she could see her parent's video.

Her eyes turned moist as it was her first birthday she was away from her family.

"Shona, happy birthday" Reva and Anurag wished her. Their eyes also filled with tears.

"Happy Birthday Di" Rohan shouted from back of his parents.

"Thank you"

"Stay blessed my Shona. May Kanhaji fulfill all your dreams and bring all happiness of the world to you" Reva caressed her image from phone.

"Thanks Ma."

"Hey Swara, where is our Jiju?" Ayesha asked.

"Yes, I had sent him zoom meeting link but ..." Rohan became tongue tied.

"It's ok Rohan, he must be busy. It's day over there so." Swara tried to cover up.

She knew her parents are on call. For them she still needed to mask her and Nikhil's tormented relation.

"So, Di, what are the special plans for tomorrow? I mean today."

"Nothing. We have office and then your sister needs to go to her in laws place." Ayesha replied instead of Swara.

"In laws place?" Reva asked scrunching her eyebrows.

"Yes Ma, I am going to Radhika Aunty's home. They called me." Swara became alert.

"Ohh ok that's good."

"Ok bye Ma. I will call you morning" Swara winded up to avoid any further questioning.

She felt relaxed when the call was cut.

"What yaar Swara, today also you are going. I thought we would be celebrating your birthday here" Rupali became upset.

"I don't understand why always you have to go there. They are relatives of your in laws. Atleast, this weekend skip it, and stay with us we will have fun" Ayesha tried to persuade her.

"No Ayesha, Nikhil and his mother will feel bad" Swara gave lame excuse.

"Ohh ya, exactly he will feel bad but what about you? He did not even join your birthday celebration call. He could have at least done that" Rupali rolled her eyes.

"It's ok girls after all it's their personal matter. Let her handle this." Tania tried to sort out. "I am going for sleep."

Everyone went to their rooms calling off for night.

Swara's phone buzzed with call.

It was flashing with "Olaf Calling"

'What does he want now?'

She turned to see other side Ayesha was sleeping peacefully. She carefully came out of room and hit green button to receive call.

"Come downstairs now" he ordered without giving her chance to speak.

"What?"

"I am here under your apartment come right now."

"I cannot come. It's late. My roommates are here."

"That's not my problem. Come right now. I don't have time."

"No"

"It's about Granny" he pulled sensitive strings.

"I am coming."

Swara carefully came out of her apartment and taking elevator she came downstairs where she could see his black car.

She knocked on the window glass.

"What? Do you need any invitation to get inside?" he and his rude remarks.

'Hey Kanhaji, at least today please don't let him spoil my day' she rolled her eyes cursing him under breath.

Swara got inside and the same moment he speeded car on the roads.

"Where are we going?" Swara asked gritting her teeth.

"It's you who created this all mess" he muttered under his breath.

"Mess?"

Sanskar stopped car after 10 minutes of drive and came out. It was harbour front area of Toronto Downtown.

He facetimed Granny's number.

"Is this the time to call. You said 15 mins and now it's 30 mins. I don't want to talk to you. Where is my child?" she turned to other side.

He gave his phone to Swara.

"Granny"

"Swara my child. Wish you many many happy returns of the day" Granny wished her with broad smile.

That moment Swara remembered in her talks with Granny she had once mention about her birthdate.

"Thank you, Granny," her eyes turned moist looking at her love.

"You know it's all your husband's fault. I wanted to wish you first. I called you but your phone was busy and then. I called him, but he told me that, you both are busy with your romance. So, because of this I became second to wish you else I would have been the first one" Granny grumbled.

Whereas her words warmed Swara's cheeks with unknown blush.

She raised her eyelashes to look at Sanskar he was least bother about their talks.

"Now it's time to cut the cake" Granny announced. "Sanskar bring it on."

Sanskar took out cake box from back seat and kept it on car's bonnet.

He opened it and Swara looked at the cake with wide open eyes.

She dropped her shoulders to look at his shocked, open mouth face.

It was doll's cake, with Elsa's dress.

'Am I teen girl to have this cake as birthday cake?' She stared at him who looked everywhere but not at her.

"What the hell? Is this any kind of cake?" he muttered closing his eyes frustratingly. 'Roger I am going to kill you.'

Swara pressed her lips to hide her chuckle looking at his irksome face.

"Hmm Elsa Princess. I am proud of you my grandson" Granny cheered from other side breaking their moment.

"Come on Swara cut the cake" Granny declared.

That moment Swara's phone started ringing flashing 'Nikhil Calling' which was on car's bonnet capturing Swara and Sanskar's attention.

They both looked at it and then shared eye lock.

*********************************************

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